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A shopper walks past empty shelves normally stocked with soaps, sanitizers, paper towels, and toilet paper at a Smart & Final grocery store, March 7, 2020 in Glendale, California. - Fears of coronavirus or COVID-19, the disease that has sickened more than 100,000 people worldwide and has killed more than 3,400, has led nervous residents to frantically stock up on canned food as well as cleaning and hygiene products. California prepared to disembark passengers from a virus-hit cruise ship as officials played down any risk to local communities. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

EXPERTS WARN, POPULATIONS COULD BE WIPED OUT

DAILYMAIL: Navajo Nation reports the highest coronavirus cases per capita outside of New York and New Jersey with tribes more vulnerable to infection because of high rates of heart problems and living closer together

The Navajo Nation has more coronavirus cases per capita than all US states except for New York and New Jersey

Navajo Nation – which stretches across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah – has 813 infections and 28 deaths

Confirmed coronavirus cases per capita was at 468 per 100,000 people

New York and New Jersey have 998 and 727 cases per 100,000 respectively

Native American tribes are being increasingly devastated by the pandemic, with twice the number of deaths per capita than the national rate

Fears are mounting that tribes could be wiped out altogether by the outbreak

Lack of clean running water, high rates of health conditions, travel to cities for work and supplies, and lack of healthcare makes Native Americans vulnerable

Social distancing also goes against traditional living arrangements

A federal stimulus package passed by Congress includes a $10 billion investment for Native Americans but the money could take weeks

By Rachel Sharp For Dailymail.com

The Navajo Nation has the highest number of coronavirus cases per capita outside of New York and New Jersey, as fears grow for Native American tribes where pre-existing health conditions make populations especially vulnerable to the pandemic.

Native American tribes are, much like the US’s black and Hispanic communities, being increasingly devastated by the pandemic, with twice the number of deaths per capita than the national rate, according to Navajo Department of Health data.

Systemic inequality when it comes to health care access, higher rates of illness and lower economic opportunities is leaving tribes more vulnerable to the pandemic.

Traditional living arrangements, with people living close together making social distancing a challenge, and regular traveling back and forth from cities for supplies and for work, also increases potential exposure, with experts warning that populations could be wiped out altogether.

In the US’s largest Native American reservation Navajo Nation – which stretches across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah – there were 813 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 28 deaths as of Monday.

With around 173,667 people living on the 27,000 square mile reservation, this makes the number of confirmed coronavirus cases per capita a staggering 468 per 100,000 people, according to Navajo Department of Health data.

Its shock figures makes it the third hardest hit area of the whole of the US, with only New York and New Jersey states recording higher cases per capita at 998 and 727 cases per 100,000 respectively, based on Tuesday’s death tolls.

Louisiana, which has been touted as an emerging epicenter after cases skyrocketed following the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations, has fewer cases per capita than the Navajo Nation at 451.